Carton with carrying handle



Allg 13, 1957 y n. cAs'rr-:R ETAL 2,802,616

' CARTON WITH CARRYING HANDLE Filed Ag. 2.71954 V 2 she'etssheet 1 #Tra/@Mfrs ug. 13,1957 l. CASTER EI'AL 2,802,616

CARTON WITH CARRYING HANDLE Filed Aug. 2, 1954 4 2 Sheets-Sheat 2 United States Patent 2,802,616 CARTON WITH cARRYiNG HANDLE Irving Caster, San Mateo, and Irving Feldman,

t HollywootLCalif. e

Our invention relates to cartons with carrying handles, and the objects of our invention are:

First, to provide a cartonwith carrying handle which is so` arranged as to provide an` extremely strong, dependable handle, permitting its use in conjunction with boxes or packages of substantial size or intended to carry articles of substantial Weight. i j

Second, to provide 'a carton of this-type which is partially inexpensive of manufacture and easily adapted to conventional box or carton manufacturing machinery.

Third, to provide a carton construction of this type which incorporates a novel handle formed of two plies of material, permitting the carrying of a greater `load in the package, and is disposed so as to be supported by thehand atwise rather than edgewise for fort. t Fourth, to provide a carton construction of this type which incorporates a novel locking means cooperating with the handle to prevent accidental opening of the package. .y e

`With the above and other objectsin View, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:`

Figure 1 is a fragmentary developed view of a carton blank incorporating our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the carton blank with the handle reinforcing and retainer aps folded into position; t t i Fig. 3 is an edge view of the carton blank shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the carton blank after the top panel and end panels have been folded into position for shipment, portions being brokenaway or in section to facilitate the illustration; v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a carton in a partially open position, showing the carrying handle and cooperating slot in the overlying side panel;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional View through 6-6 of Fig. 7, showing the carton in its closed position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, longitudinally sectional view, taken along the plane 7--7 of Fig. 6;

, Fig. 8 is a fragmentary developed view, similarl to Fig.` 1, showing a modified form of our carton blank;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View, similar to Fig. 2, showing the reinforcing iiap, retainer flap, and cover flap in position; and

Fig. l is an edge view thereof, showing the reinforcing ap in position, 'and the retainer ap and cover flap in approximately their folded positions.

Our carton is formed from a single-piece carton blank 1. The blank includes a front panel 2, a back panel 3, a bottom panel 4, end panels 5, and top panels 6 and 7. These panels are foldably connected in the usual manner by score lines, indicated in the drawings by broken lines, to form a pair of "attached box members, one of which telescopes over the other.

The top panels 6 and 7 are provided at their extremities with end tabs `8, separated from the adjacent end greater Companels by slits 9. The adjacent extremities of the end panels 5 are provided with foldable triangular sections 10 coated with adhesive for attachment to the end tabs 8. At the ends of the bottom panel 4, between corresponding end panels 5, are cross folded sections 11 having V-notches 12 so that the sections thus formed will fold together as the two parts of the carton are brought into position. The carton so far described may, for the purposes of the present invention, be considered conventional@v `Foldably connected to the top panel 6 is a reinforcing flap 13 which is coated with adhesive 14 and is adapted to be folded over the back or inner side of the top panel. It should be observed that in Figs. l to 4 the carton is shown with the side destined to become the inside of the carton facing upward. Normally this is the unglazed or unfinished side of the cardboard comprising the carton. The opposite side destined to become the outside of the carton is calendered or the surface otherwise finished. Thus it is the unfinished side of the reinforcing iiap 13 which is coated with adhesive and adhered to the unfinished side of the top panel 6 when the reinforcing iiap is folded thereover. When the reinforcing liap 13 is folded and secured to the top panel a rectangular twoply reinforced section is provided. The term two-ply is herein used to designate the two thicknesses of the cardboard even though the cardboard itself might be formed of more than one ply.

Cut into the top panel 6 and reinforcing iiap 13 are similar handle `elements or cutouts 15. These cutouts register with'each other to form a handle member 16.

` The handle member-,includes a stem 17 and head 18.

The two plies comprising `the handle are attached integrally with the top panel 6 and reinforcing flap 13, respectively, While the opposite or head end of the handle is cut free thereof, that is, is capable of being pressed from the top panel and reinforcing flap.

The head 18 forms with the stern 17 laterally directed shoulders 19. t The handle cutout 15 in the reinforcing liap`13 may be provided with side lugs 20 adjacent the head 18, and at a slightly greater spacing from the head 18 there may be provided side recesses forming projections 21 in the sides of the slot from which the stem is cut. While the side lugs 20 and side projections 21 are shown only in the handle element formed in the reinforcing flap 13, they may occur in both handle elements.

, The purpose and function of the side lugs 20 and side handle retainer iiap 22. The flap 22 is provided with an aperture 23 having a laterally enlarged end to fo-rm a head-registering portion 24,and is reduced at its vother end to form a short stem-registering portion 25. Betweenthe aperture 23 and the extended end of the handle retainer iiap 22 there is formed a web 26. The stem-registering portion 25 may be provided with side lugs 27.

The handle retainer flap 22 is adapted to be folded over the reinforcing Hap 13, as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, after the reinforcing flap is in position. Thus the handle retainer `flap 22 is placed with its finished or calendered side facing the finished or calendered side of the reinforcing flap 13. The handle retainer flap 22 need not be adhesively attached, as this flap may be brought into position when the carton is prepared for use. However, if desired, it may be adhesively secured initially.

In the preparation of the carton blank, the reinforcing iiap 13 is cemented in position and the handle retainer 3 over the back and front panels, respectively, with the end tabs 8 tucked under by reason of their connection with the triangular sections 1i) of the end panels. In so doing,` the reinforcing ilap 13V and handle retainerv flap 22 are disposed under the top panel 6, as ,shown in Fig. 4.

The top panel 7 is adapted to overlie the top Ypanel 6 and is provided with a slot 28 having dimensionsto receive the stern 17 of the handle member 16. The ends of the slot Z8 are provided with foldable end sleeves 29, and one side of the slot is provided with a locking ap 30.

The carton is prepared for use as follows, being made to Figs. 5,76, and 7.

If the handle retainer flap 22 has not been previously cemented to the under side of the reinforcing ap 13, as viewed in Fig. 7, the handle retainer flap is folded into such position. The head 18 of the handle member 16 is pressed downwardly through Vthe aperture 23 and the stem 17 is arched upwardly. The head 18 is so manipulated as to slide into the slot formed in the top panel 6 and reinforcing flap 13 by removal of the stern 17 therefrom. Also the head portion 18 passes under the stem-registering portion 25 so that at this point three plies of material are provided to retain the head 18 under the handle retainer flap 22. The web 26 limits movement of the head. The side lugs 20 tend to prevent excessive travel of the head 18 into the carton. The side lugs 27 tend to prevent back travel of the head 18 into the cutout portion from which it was removed, and the side projections 21 formed in the slot from which the stem was removed tend to reinforce the web 26.V It should be understood that the side lugs 20 and 27 do not prevent movement if the handle member is deliberately forced past them.

After the handle has been partially arched, the topy panel 7 is lifted thereover until` the slot 28 is in registry therewith. The stem 17 of the handle member 16 is reference drawn upwardly through the `slot 28. The profile ofV the locking flap 30 is such that the ap may pass under the arched stem, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 6 and 7, and may then be returned to is coplanar relation with the top panel. End leaves 29 bear against the exposed extremities of the stern 17 and provide additional reinforcement It will be observed that the construction illustrated and described provides an extremely sturdy carrying han-Y dle, thoroughly reinforced at the points of greatest strain, so that even though formed of relatively fragile material,

such as cardboard, the handle and carton may be declosure Hap 31. The closure flap 31 is foldably attachedl to the end of the reinforcing ap 13 opposite from the handle retainer iiap 22. Both the handle retainer flap 22 and closure flap 31 are adapted to be folded over the reinforcing flap 13, as viewed in Figs. 9 and l0.` Their extremities abut each other so that the opening Vformed by the handle member 16 is entirely closed except'for the aperturer23.

When the carton is in operating position, the `handle retainer flap 22 and closure flap 31 underlie the reinforcing flap 13. Furthermore, the calendered or iinshed sidegis uppermost so that as viewed from the exterior of the carton :only the finished side of the cardboard is exposed. It should be noted that this is true of the rst described structure in regard to the web 26.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A carton, comprising: a s ide panel; a reinforcing flap underlying and adheed to said side panel to form a member of two-ply thickness; a retainer flap underlying said reinforcing ap; a two-ply handle cutout formed in said panel and underlyingvreinforcing ap, said handle including a stem attached integrally at one end to said panel and reinforcing ap, and having a laterally enlarged head at its other end; said retainer ap having an aperture adapted to register with the head and adjacent portion of the stem of said handle and terminating in a margin adapted to traverse the stern of said handle; the stem of said handle adapted to be arched upwardly from said panel, and 'said head adapted to be thrust downwardly through said retainer ap and moved Yalong the opening formed by said stem until `.restrained by said margin.

2. A cartonras set forth in claim l, wherein: said retainer flap is adhesively attached to the under side of said reinforcing ap.

3. A carton as set forth `in claim 1, wherein: said retainer 'flap is foldably yconnected to one end of said reinforcing ilap and isgadhesively attached to the under side of said reinforcing flap; and a closure flap is foldably connected to the opposite end of said reinforcing flap and foldable thereunder and adhesively attached thereto to cover the under side ofsaid stern cutout, said closure ap terminating adjacent 'said retainer flap.

V'4. A ycarton as set forth in claimy l, wherein: the aperture in said retainer flap and the sidesof said stem adjacentsaid head have interengagingprojections tending to limit downward movement of said head. Y

5. A carton, comprising: an underlying and an overlying side panel; a reinforcing ap disposed under and adhered to said underlying ,side panel to form a member of two-ply thickness; 'a retainer ap underlying an end of said reinforcing ap; a two-ply handle cutout formed in said underlying panel and reinforcing ap, said handle including a stern attached integrally at one Vend to said underlying panel and Vreinforcing flap and having a laterally enlarged head at its other end; said retainer flap having an aperture adapted to register with the head and adjacent portion of the stem of said handle, anda margin disposed so as to traverse the stem of said handle; the stern of said handle adapted to be arched upwardly from said underlying panel,and said head adapted to be thrust downwardly through lsaid kretainer flap and moved along the opening formed by said stem until restrained by said margin; said overlying panel having an aperture adapted to receive the stern of said handle; and a locking flap connected at one iside margin of said aperture andfoldable upwardly to permit arching of said stern through said aperture, said locking ap having a prole to pass under said arched stem into coplanar relation with said overlying panel thereby to lock said Istem in an arched position above said overlying panel.

6. A carton as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said retainer ap is adhesively attached to the under side of said reinforcing flap. i Y

7. A carton as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said re,- tainer ap is adhesively attached to the under side of said reinforcing flap; and a closure ap disposed under said` foldably yattached to the other end of said reinforcing ap;

handle cutouts in said panel Vand reinforcing cutouts adapted to register when said reinforcing flap is folded; said retainer ap having an aperture adapted, when said retainer ap is folded, to register with said handle cut- References Cited in the le of this patent outs and a web adapted to bridge said handle cutouts; said UNITED STATES PATENTS cover flap adapted when folded to cover the portion of said handle cutouts uncovered by said retainer Hap; said 117311414 Gossman OGL 15 1929 Selfer Mar. 4, 1941 a bein adhesivel ated a d de t' edt be e ured 5 233,799 infleirfded psitingf n Sm s c 2,365,887 Lmd Dec.26,1944

2,482,399 Bullock Sept. 20, 1949 

